Electrical self-playing attachment for pianos.



I. B. SMITH. y ELECTRICAL SELF PLAYING'ATTAGHMBNT FOB PITOS.

Prmcnroxir Hrm nu 19. 1905.

Patented May 24, 1910.

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' q/Vstjwous I. B. SMITH.

ELECTRICAL SELF PLAYING ATTACHMENT POR PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY-19, 1905.

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I. B. SMITH. CTRIGAL SELF PLAYNG ATTACHMENT FOR PANQS.

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APLIOATIDN FILED HAY 19, 1905.

Patented May 24, 1910.

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\w may witness@ Ammxw a Gamm co. PNOTALHNOGRAP I. B. SMTH. ELBGTRISALSELT PLAYING ATTACHMENT TON PIANOS.

' APPLIoATIoN Hmm MAY 19, 1905.

l Patllted May 24, 1910. 5 sHnnTs-snmzfr 4.

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I. B SMITH. ELEGTRIGAL SELF PLAYING ATTACHMENT FOR PIANOS APPLICATIONFILEDv MAY 19, 1905.

959,082. Patented May 24, 1910.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

IRVING B. SMITH, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE AS-SIGNMENTS, TO ELECTRELLE CORPORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA.

COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A

ELECTRICAL SELF-PLAYING ATTACHMENT FOR PIANOS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 24, 1910.

Application filed May 19, 1905. Serial No. 261,121.

To all whom Lt 'may concern:

Be it known that I, IRVING B. SMITH, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in ElectricalSelf-Playing Attachments for Pianos, of which the following is aspecification.

My present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inself-playing attachments for pianos, of the type wherein the actuatingmechanism for the sound producing devices is controlled by a perforatedmusic sheet or web.

The improvements now sought to be protected relate more particularly toactuating.

mechanism of the well known shoe and roller type. Heretofore and priorto my invention, it has been the practice to locate this actuatingmechanism in the lower part of the piano case; or, more properlyspeaking, below the key-board. This arrangement has always given more orless trouble and is open to many objections which preclude that nicetyand delicacy of operation essential to a highly perfected mechanism,chief among which may be noted the fact that considerable cutting of thepiano frame and case is necessary, and adjustment of the various partsis not only very diicult, but, in some cases, impossible, unless thepiano is taken to the factory and jacked. Moreover, in prior electricalself-playing attachments for pianos, the electrical appliances have beenarranged in the lower part of the piano casing below the keyboard, andin such prior arrangements a load is imposed upon the electro-mechanicaldevices which is more than they can take care of, and at the same timetake care of in that instantaneous manner which is essential to aperfect instrument.

By the present invention a new arrangement and a new location of theelectro-mechanical actuating mechanisms are provided; these are theresult of long study and experiment to find out just what was thedifficulty with instruments in which the electro-mechanical devices werearranged beneath the piano keyboard, and to find a way to remedy thedifficulty. This problem, in its broadest sense, has been completelysolved by arranging and locating the electro-mechanical devices in theupper as contradistinguished from the lower portion of the piano casing,and so arranged that the load, or the work which the electro-magnets andassociated mechanisms have to do, is reduced to a minimum, and theinstrument thus responds quickly, certainly, and with all the delicacyand force which the operator desires to put into it.

It is one purpose of this invention, therefore, to overcome the abovenoted objections, and this is accomplished by mounting the entireelectrically controlled actuating mechanism in the upper part of thepiano case and preferably above and clear of the hammer action of theinstrument in such manner that all parts may be exposed to view andreadily gotten at for purposes of adjustment and repair, access beinggained thereto by simply removing the upper front board of the piano.

A further and important feature of the invention resides in theprovision of pullrods, tapes or cords, for operating the sound-producingdevices, (in the present instance, the piano hammers) said pull-deviceseach having a detachable connection with a part of each hammer action, acertain amount of free or lost motion being provided in each connectionwhereby the' hammers may be actuated directly from the manual keyswithout operating or affecting the pull-devices, or may be operatedthrough the medium of the pull-devices without operating or affectingthe manual keys.

Another object of the invention resides in the peculiar manner ofmounting the friction shoes and in the devices associated therewith foreffecting, in an easy and quick manner, the various necessaryadjustments of the several parts.

A still further purpose of the invention is to provide a novelconstruction of expression operating means that is so combined with theactuating mechanism as to provide what may be termed a completeself-contained attachment.

A further purpose of the invention resides in a novel construction ofshaft or roller with which the friction shoes coperate and by which saidshoes are actuated; the novelty residing in so constructing the shaft orroller that the shoes will be actuatedwith ai The invention has in viewother more or` less important features of construction and combinationsand arrangements of parts, all as will more fully hereinafter appear.

In the annexed drawings forming a part of this specification-Figure l isa vertical sectional view of the upper part, of a piano showing myimproved playing attachmentapplied'thereto. Fig. 2`is anenlargedsectional view of the actuating mechanism for the sound-producingdevices. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of one ofthe saddle mount ings forthe shoes and the adjusting-means therefor. Fig. 3a is a detailperspective of one of the armatures. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective viewshovvingthe manner ofrmounting the armatures. Fig. 5 is a verticalsectionalview of one form of clamp for the hammer action. Fig. G is atransverse sectional view of the same.A Fig. 7 is a detail perspectiveview of a screw lock. Fig. S is a detail perspective view ofone end ofthe magnet rail, the view also showing the attaching bracket forsupporting the entire actuating mechanism. Fig. 9 is a top plan view ofthe expression mechanism. Fig.- 10 is a detail perspective view of apart of the expression actuating mechanism. Figs. 11 to 15, inclusive,indicate, conventionally, some of the lpositions assumed by the pianohammers in obtaining various musical'expressions. Fig. 16 isa sectionalview of the lower end of one of the pull-rods. Fig. 17 is a perspectiveview of a slightly modified form of pull-rod and attaching clamp, thelatter being shown as attached to the wippen. F ig. 18 isa perspective.view showing one manner of attaching the playing mechanism to a piano.Fig. 19- is a plan view of one form of shaft or roller for actuating thefriction shoes. Fig. 20 is a slightlyvmodiied form of shaft or roller.Fig. 21 sho-ws another form of connection between the shoes and hammeraction. Fig. 22 is a detail perspective view of the clip shown in Fig.21. Fig'. 23 shows one manner of employing a flexible connectionbetweenthe shoes and hammer actions. Fig. 24 is a detail perspectiveview of the tape-attaching plate. Fig. 25 is a view in part similar toFig. 2, showing the position of the parts when the magnet is energized.

Before proceeding with the detailed description of the improvementssought to be covered herein, I will recitein a brief-manner the generaloperation of a. self-playing attachment constructed in accordance withthe present invention.

A. rotary drum or shaft is provided and asuitable motor employed todrive the same at a-constant and rapid speed. A plurality of frictionshoes (one for each key of the piano) are arranged adjacent to, butnormally held outv of Contact With the drum or shaft, the shoes beingsuitably connected to the armatures of electro-magnets. A pull device isattached at one end to each shoe and at its other end said device has adetachable connection with a part of the hammer-action of the piano. Anote-selecting deviceis employed tocontrolzthe operation ofthe playing'mechanism, saidnote selecting' deviceusually` consisting of a, contactbar or roll and a.pluralityof selector iingers, one for each of thebefore-mentioned electro-magnets. A perforated sheet or web is caused tetravel between the contact roll and selector fingers, and whenever oneor more of the latter enter the perforations in the sheet or web andmakecontact with the said roll the corresponding electro-magnets with whichthe selector lingers are in circuit, are energized, thus attractingtheir armaturesand moving the shoes into frictionalcontact with thecontinuously rotating shaft or roll. These contacting shoes arethusthrustforward imparting a quick or sudden upward pull upon thepull-devices which, owing to their connection with the several hammeractions cause the hammer to strike the stringsof the piano in the samemanner as when the piano is being played manually.

As the note selecting' device forms no part of the present invention andas such devices are common and well known in the art, I do not deem itnecessary'to either show or more specifically describe the same herein.

Referring first to the piano proper, A desig nates the top of the case;B the front board; C the fall board; D the key base; E the manual keyspivoted at F, and provided at their rear ends with the ordinary capstanscrews G. a designates one of the piano strings; the timing pegs; c thehammer head; el the hammer shank; e the rest rail, f the butt; f/ thecounter check; 7L the back-check, z' the jack; j the pivot upon whichthe hammer butt rotates, 71: the pivot upon which the jack rotates; Zthe jack portion that engages with the knock-out stop to release thejack from the butt; and m the rail for supporting the said stop. a isthe wippen pivoted at 0,' y) the` extension pivoted to the wippen; q theextension guide pivoted at r; and s the feltcd end of theA extensionwhich rests upon the capstan screw Gr carried by the rear end of themanual key E.

The reference numeral. 1 designates a magnet rail, which supportssubstantially the entire attachment. This rail is of angle iron and asshown in Figs. 8, 16 and 18, is adjustably and detachably connected bymeans of two or more angle brackets 2, to the stationery part 3 of thepiano frame. Each bracket is provided at its free end with a slot 4L,through which a screw entering the magnet rail is passed. By means ofthe slots 1 the rail may be adjusted vertically as will be apparent.

An important feature of this construction resides in the fact that theattachment may be placed in position in the piano and attached withoutin any way injuring or cut ting the tin plate or other part of thepiano, which, practice has demonstrated, should not be interfered with.The only holes that are necessary, are for the wood screws 5, which passthrough the brackets into the bolster and these in no way weaken themore delicate parts of the piano frame.

Journaled in suitable bracket bearings G, suspended from the angle baror rail 1, is a roll or shaft 7, to be more specifically referred tohereinafter, said roll or shaft being driven in any suitable manner, asby gears 8 and 9, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, said gears derivingtheir motion from a motor, not shown.

Supported on the substantially horizontal member of the magnet rail 1,is a plurality of electro-magnets, said magnets being in circuit with asuitable source of E. M. F., each magnet consisting of two iron coreshaving reduced ends, which are inserted in suitable holes in the saidrail, the said ends being then swaged over to hold the cores securely inplace. On each pair or cores are wound the wire coils 10, 11, which arein series, by connecting together their inner ends as at 12. The outerends of the coils 11 are attached to lead wires 13, going to theselector fingers of the note-selecting device (not. shown), while theouter ends of the coils 10 are attached to a common lead wire 14 goingto one battery terminal after passing through a suitable line switch(not shown).

The reference numeral 15 designates an armature for the electro-magnets,said armatures being each mounted upon a flat blade spring 16, the outerend of each spring being seated in a cross slot or recess 17, in therail 18, secured by means of screws 19 to the upright member of themagnet rail 1, all as more clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4. After beingseated in the said cross slots or recesses in the rail 13, the springsare secured by means of screws 20. By this construction the springs areprevented from turning or twisting by reason of the walls of the crossslots or recesses lying close to the edges of the springs 16. A threadedstud 21 is tapped in the outer end of each armature 15, and each studhas a socket 22 in its upper end in which is fitted the stem 23 of adisk 2/1- as shown in Figs. 2 and 3,

said disk serving to abut against a capstan head 42, presently to bedescribed in order to limit the upward movement of the armature and theshoe suspended therefrom.

Two capstan nuts 25 are mounted upon each threaded stud 21 and betweeneach two nuts is mounted the base port-ion 2G of a U-shaped saddlep27,the said base portion being` provided with an aperture through which thethreaded stud 21 is passed. A friction shoe 28 is suspended between thedepending legs of each saddle, connection between the shoes and saddlebeing effected by means of pins 29, covered with felt 30, to preventnoise, all as more clearly shown in Fig. 3. The shoes 2S are preferablymade of wood, such as maple, and are formed of two pieces mortisedtogether at 31, so as to have the grain of the wood in the direction oflength of each piece. Each shoe has its sole faced with cork 32, orother suitable friction material. As will be seen by referring to Fig. 2of the drawing, the friction shoes are suspended above and normally heldout of contact with the roll or shaft 7, but they will be brought intocontact therewith whenever the electro-magnets are energized, as beforereferred to.

It is very important and necessary that some means be provided foraccurately adjusting the position of the friction shoes relatively tothe roll or shaft 7, and also for adjusting the armature relatively tothe magnet poles, and to effect these adjust-ments I have provided thefollowing means: The reference numeral 33 designates a T-bar arrangedabove and parallel with the line of armatures 15, said T-bar beingattached to two or more bracket arms 311, the latter in turn beingattached to the magnet rail 1, as shown in Fig. 2. A plurality of "thumbscrews 35 (one for each armature) are tapped in the T-bar 33, the freeend of each screw being provided with an opening through which one endof a coil spring 36 is passed, the other end of said spring being bentlaterally as shown, and passing loosely through an aperture in a metalclip 37 attached to the upper face of the armature. Each thumb screw 35has a milled head 3S and a spring lug 39, shown in detail in Fig. 7, andin operative position in Fig. 2, is caused to bear the same in theposition to which the screw is adjusted. By this means it will be seenthat the position of the armatures relative to their magnet cores may bealways maintained in proper position, notwithstanding the condition ofthe blade springs 16, upon which the armatures are mounted, whichsprings have a tendency to weaken through wear. By reason of the factthat the lower end of the coiled spring 36 is bent laterally andextended loosely through the opening in the clip 37, it will be seenthat said spring against the periphery of the head 38 to hold will berotated freely when the thunib screw 35 is adjusted, and such rotationwill not, tlier'efore, place the coiled spring under' torsional strain.Located in front of each thumb screw 35, is a screw stud 40, said studsbeing held against trir'ning by means of a nut 4l. These screw studsextend through the T-bar andrupon each is a capstan head 42 faced withfelt, as shown. These capstan heads lie directly above the disks 24cai'r'ied by the scr'ew studs 2l, and form stops oi' abutineiitstliei'efor, which limit the upward movement of the armatures. By thismeans it will be apparent that by proper' adjustments of the variouscapstan heads, and screw studs, the position and movement of thefriction shoes relatively to the shaft or roll, and also the position ofthe armatures relatively to the magnet cores, may be quickly andeffectively adjusted.

An adjustable stop rail is )rovided for the friction shoes, said stoprail1 consisting of a bar 43 which is attached to the underside of themagnet rail l, by means of screws 44, passing through elongated slots 45in the said bar 43. By this means the stop rail may be adjusted towar'dand from tlie friction shoes 2S. The front face of the bar 43 isprovided with a felt strip or' cushion 46, againstr which the shoesnormally rest, this construction being provided to prevent noise.

I will now proceed to describe the connection between the friction shoesand hammer action, it being understood that such connection according tothe present invention is made by means of a prill rod, cord or tapeattached directly to the shoe and to a part of the action itself. I willfirst describe the construction illustrated in Figs. l, 2, 5 and 6, inwhich the reference numeral 47 designates a` pull rod having a hook 4Sat its upper end, which rides over' a transverse pin 49, carried by achanneled portion 50 of the friction shoe 28. The pin 49 has a covering5l of felt, or the hook 48 may be so covered to prevent noise inoperation. The lower end of the pull rod 47 has a connection with theextension p of the hammer action, by means of a sheet` metal clamp 52,which embraces said extension, said clamp having outwardly extendingarms 53, pi'ovided with two or more opening's for a prrr'- posepresently to be made apparent. A thin steel strip 54, preferably has itsends tiir'iied forward over a block 56, so that the pai'ts will be heldtogether, and the said strip 54 is provided with penetrating points orprongs 57, which, when the said parts 54 and 55 ai'e placed in positionand in facial contact with the extension p of the hammer' action, asshown in Figs. 5 and 6, and secured by means of the screws 58, the saidclamp will be firmly attached to the eXtension 7 2. An ai'in 59,provided with a plurality of openings 60, and a twisted end 6'1,as-shown in Figs. l and 1G has its rear' end located between the twoarms 53 of the clamp 52, and these parts ai'e connected together bymeans of two screws 62. The arm 59 is provided with a` plurality ofopenings G0, along its length, so that a portion of the arm may be cutoff when desired to shorten the saine, and thus adapt it for use inconnection with various makes of hammer actions. The twisted eird Gl ofthe arm 59, is provided with an aperture through which the lowerthreaded end of the prill r'od freely passes, making what I term alostinotioii connection between the rod and arm, as inor'e clearly shownin Fig. 1G, and over' the said threaded end 63 of the rod is snuglyfitted a brassor rubber sleeve G4. Two nuts 65, separated from end (5l,of arm 59, by means of felt washer' (55', ai'e screwed upon the lower'end of the pull i'od 47', and serve to adjust the operative length ofsaid i'od. The sleeve (34 serves to cover the threads on the end of thepull i'od where the latter' passes through the aperture in the twistedend of the arm (3l, so that the threads will not cause the extension tobind when the piano key E is thrust upward in manual playing. In thelatter case therefore, it will be seenthat the striker r'ods ai'e notmoved or actuated when the piano is played manually, and this I considerone of the salient features of the present invention.

In some cases it may be preferable to attach the pull rods to seineother part of the hammer action and I have therefore shown in Fig. 17 amodified form of pull r'od and clamp. In this instance, the pull r'od GGhas its upper end threaded at 67, and the hook 68 for the friction shoeis formed of two pai'ts 69, riveted together' at 70, the rearends of thepar'ts (39 being shaped to provide a threaded opening with which thethreaded end (S7 of the pull rod engages. A screw 7l, passing throughthe two parts G9 of the hook serves to cause them to exert a clampingaction on the threaded portion of the pull rod so that the hook may befirmly locked to the rod when once properly adjusted. Adjustments may beeasily made by simply loosening screw 7l, and turning the pull r'odafter which the screw is again tightened.

The pull rod 66 has a head 72 on its lower end, upon the upper' face ofwhich is placed a felt washer' 73, and the said rod also has on itslower' end a rubber sleeve 74, for a purpose presently to appear'. Inthe construction shown in Fig'. 17, I employ a very light but stiftU-shaped clip 75, which is attached directly to the wippen 'a of thehammer action, or this same clip may be so modified in an obviorismanner as to be adapted foi' attachment to the extension 7) of theaction. The clip 75 is provided with an otl'standing arm 7G, having anopen slot 77, through which the pull rod may freely pa. s, the head 1through the medium of a on the end of the pull rod being arranged toimpinge the underside of the arm to actuate the hammer' action Wheneverthe said rod is pulled upward through the movement of its friction shoe.The clip 75 is provided with a sharp point or edge 78, to embed in theunderside of the wippen and a screw 79 is employed to otherwise hold theclip in place and against movement. By this construction it will be seenin manual playing as the wippen rises and carries the clip 7 5 with it,perfect freedom of motion is permitted because of the loose connectionbetween the pull rod and the open slot 77 in the oifstanding arm 76.Then it is desired to remove the pull rod for any purpose, this may bequickly and conveniently done by simply lowering the said rod until thesleeve 7a comes below the arm 76, when the rod will pass out of the openslot 77.

In Fig. 21 I have shown another form of means for actuating` the hammeraction pull rod connection with a friction shoe. In this arrangementeach pull rod 60 is hooked at its upper end to a shoe 28, and isprovided at its lower end with an adjustable head 95, clamped betweentwo nuts 96, threaded upon the said rod, the latter being guided in itsvertical movements by means of an apertnred rail 97, the aperturestherein being bushed with felt 98. The end of the head 95, is faced withfelt 99, and is caused to engage a clip 100, attached to the stem p ofthe hammer action whereby to force the hammer c into contact with itsstring a. The clip 100 is shown in perspective in Fig. 92. If desired,the clip may be dispensed with and the head 95 caused to engage thewippen a direct.

It will be quite obvious that instead of employing a rod l connectionbetween each shoe and hammer action, I may employ a ilexible connectionbetween these two elements, and in some cases this flexible connectionis preferable since it has its advantage over a rigid connection. InFig. 23 I have shown the last mentioned connection, and in this figurethe numeral 2S designates the friction shoe as usual, the rear upperedge of which, it will be seen, is curved on increasing radii for apurpose presently to appear. The connection between the shoe and hammeraction consists of a flexible linen or other tape or cord 101 secured tothe upper edge of the shoe by means of a clamp plate 102, or otherwise,the lower end of said tape or cord being attached to the wippen a, or toany other part of the action. The flexible connection provides thenecessary lost motion between the hammer action and shoe required inmanual playing, and the increasing shoe radius permits of grading theblow perfectly. The chief advantage in this is that the shoe starts topick up its load on a short radius. It is at this time that the inertiaof the piano action is most felt and therefore the short radius iseasier both on the piano and playing attachment.

In all self-playing attachments of which I am aware, all the pianohammers of the bank are actuated with the same degree of force and inpractice it is found that owing to the greater freedom of vibration ofthe bass strings, the tones given off thereby drown out the tones of theother strings and this is especially true with respect to the treble. Itis a salient feature therefore, of the present invention, to remedy thisdefect and I ac complish the end by causing the hammers in some parts ofthe action to act with greater force than others, for example, to gaingreater force in the treble than in the bass. In Figs. 19 and 20, I haveshown by way of examples, two ways of carrying out this part of theinvention, which is accomplished by simply altering the construction ofthe rotary roll or shaft 7, from one of the same diameter throughout itslength, as is common in the art, to a roll or shaft made conical in formas shown in Fig. 19. I prefer to mount the roll or shaft as shown inthis figure, in which it will be seen that what may be termed the trebleend is of larger diameter than the bass end. To enable this constructionto properly drive the friction shoes 28, the axis of rotation of theshaft or roll 7, is inclined with respect to the bottom line of shoefaces to such an extent that the uppermost face of the shaft or roll isparallel to the bottom line of shoe faces. By making one of the bracketsin which the roll or shaft is journaled, a trifle longer than the otherbracket, the proper position of the roll or shaft is secured. It will beapparent of course, that the shaft or roll 7, could be mounted on anaxis parallel with the magnet rail, but this would require that thefriction shoes be accordingly graduated in length depending upon thepitch of the conical shaft or roll.

Instead of making a conical shaft or roll, I may make the same instepped form as shown at S0, in Fig. 20, and the same result will beaccomplished, exceptthat there will not be a regular and uniformincrease o hammer force from the treble to the bass, as is the case withthe conical form of roll or shaft.

The operation of this part of the invention will be readily understoodfrom thc foregoing description when taken in connection with thedrawing. As the roll or shaft is always driven at a constant speed ofrotation, it will be apparent that the friction shoes and their attachedpull-rods will be actuated with a gradually varying force from thetreble to the bass, which is due to the fact that the roll or shaftvaries in diameter from end to end and the fact that different shoesengage different portions of the shaft or roll, where the surface speedvaries. It will be apparent that'the novel forms of rolls or shaftsherein set forth, may be employed in all types of attachments of theshoe and roller class.

I will nowdescribe my improved expression mechanism, but will prefacethe description with the statement that this part of the inventionoperates on the same principle as the mechanism shown and described inmy prior Letters Patent, No. 777,226, dated Dec. 13, 1904-, wherein thepiano hammers arey moved on oblique lines toward and fromthe plane ofthe strings lto gradually increase or decrease to different extents thelength of stroke of the hammers. The improvements sought to be protectedherein relate more particularly to the means for shifting the positionof the hammers, and said means will now be described.

Attached'to the underside ofthe magnet rail 1, as shown in Figs. 1, 2and 9, are three brackets 81, 82 and 83, one near each end of said railand one at or near the middle. At the lower end of each bracket isoiirnaled a bellcrank lever 84, the shorter arm 85,0fwhich has an eyeand the longer arm Stir carries a pin` 87,' free to rotate in said armbut not to move eiidwise therein. On each ofthe pins S7 is journaled aplate 88, said plates being screwed respectively to the two sections 89and 90, of a channel bar, which bar sectionscarry. a felt strip 91.These bar sections are arranged in. rear of they hammers andlconstitutea rest therefor. As will be seen by referringto F ig. 9, the barsections 89 and 90 are made in abutting sections, the abutting ends eachcarrying one of tlieplates. SS, which latter. are journaled over the pin87 ontlie long arm of the bell crank lever carried by the middlebracket: 82. The extremeendsof the bar sections yond the front edge ofthe key-board as shown in Fig. 1, and is provided at its free end with afinger key 97a, said keys bearing the letters B. M. T. indicating thebass, middle and treble parts of the piano action.

It willv be apparent from the foregoing that by depressing the leverbearing the letter T, thebar section90 of the hammer rest will be movedoutward in the oblique position indicated in Fig. 12, the said sectionswinging on the pivot 87. This will cause the hammers in the treble partof the piano to assume a corresponding oblique position rrelatively totheplane of the piano strings a, so-that the extent of movement of thesevera-l hammers-of the bank or series in the treble-equal to the lengthof the har section 90, will be gradually or progressively` increased ordecreased from end toend thereof. The same is true with respect to thehammers of the bass, when the lever having the letter Bis depressed. Inthis case t-lie bar section 89,I and the hammers c of the bars willassume aposition corresponding to that shown in Fig. 13. If the leverhaving the letter M. is depressed, then the pivoted or abutting ends ofthe two bar sections 89 and 90, and all the hammers of the trebleandbass willbe moved on opposite oblique lines as indicated in Fig. 1i.lVhen the two outer levers bearing the letters B and T aresimultaneously depressed, the bar sections andhammersof the trebleand-bass will be caused to assume a position corresponding to .thatshown in Fig. 15. Tt will be obvious that the extentof movement of thebar sections will depend upon the distance the levers are depressed,hence great. variation in tone volume may be secured. By operating thethree levers in the manner indicated the operator -mayl accent` a singlenote;

S9 and 90 each have a similar )late S8 one arun or a O'rou 3 of notes'brin@ outy the a. l h a :s l a ,n

of: which is Journaled onvthe-pin 8f, of the melody of the musicalcomposition and at bell crank lever carried by.` the bracket 81, thesame time subdue the accompanying and the other journaled onthe like pinof the bell crank lever carried by the arm 83. It will be evident fromthe foregoingvif the shorter arm of either ofi the bell crank leversispulled in the direction ofy its arrow, asindicated iiiFigr. 9,v the.longer.y arm will' travel outward carrying with it the bar section orsections, as the case may be, and' permitting the hammers o to recedefrom the strings whereby to vary the length of travel thereof.

In order: to swing the bell crank` levers as described, If attach totheshort arm of'eachv a steel wire or cord-92, said cords or. wires each.passing over a separate pulley. 93 loosely journaled on a cross armf94,carried by the middle bracket. 82, and. fromthence they pass downwardand each is attached to a separate lever arm95a, pivotedrat 96a., to theunderside of the piano key-boardbase D. Each` lever` armv extendsforward beparts; andk also'. obtain and pleasing effects.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen-thattheplaying andexpression mechanisms are allmounted upon a common supportingelement,and the entire attachment is, therefore, self-contained,- andinay beappliedfand removed as a whole, which-.is a decided.improvement overthose types of attachments wherein the playingmechanism is in one partof the piano and the expression mechanism in another part.

One of the most important and distinguishing features of the presentinvention `resides in locating and arranging electrically. controlled.actuating elements in thc upper part ofithepiano case above the keyboardand in the employment of pull devices each having a direct connection`with a4 part of they hammer action, as distinguished from thosemechanisms located-bcmaiiy other artistic low the key-board and havingpush-rods acting directly upon the manual keys from below; and also asdistinguished from pneumatic and essentially mechanical actuating meansfor the hammer actions located above the key-board all of whichconstructions are old and well known in the art, but which areobjectionable for the reasons heretofore pointed out.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the employment ofa loose or lost motion connection between `the friction shoes and thehammer action and in the means for detachably connecting the pull rodsto a part of the said action.

I do not specifically claim herein the flexible pull connection betweenthe friction shoes and hammer actions as shown in Fig. 23, as thisparticular connecting means is described and claimed in my co-pendingapplication Serial No. 276,189, tiled August Q9, 1905.

hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. In anelectrical piano-playing attachment, the combination with the hammeraction, of a clip on a unit of the action, a pull device having a headadapted when raised to engage a part of the clip to operate the action,and electro-mechanical means located in the upper part of the pianoabove the leyboard for actuating said pull device.

2. In an electrical piano-playing attachment, the combination with thehammer action, of a clip, means for detachably connecting said clip to aunit of the action, a pull device having a head adapted to engage a partof the clip, and electro-mechanical means located in the upper part ofthe piano case above the hammer heads for actuating said pull device.

S. In an electrical piano-playing attachment, the combination with ahammer action, of a clip, means for detachably connect-- ing said clipto a unit of the act-ion, a pull rod having a free connection with theclip, and electro-mechanical means located in the upper part of thepiano case above the hammer heads for actuating said pull rod.

et. In an electrical piano-playing attachment, the combination with thepiano string plate, the keyboard and the hammer action, of electricallycontrolled shoe and roller actuating mechanism located in the upper partof the piano opposite the string-plate and above the key-board,electro-magnets for causing said shoe to .engage said roller, and a pullconnection between said shoe and a unit of the action for actuating thelatter.

5. In a piano -playing attachment, the combination with the piano case,the string plate and the hammer action, of electromagneticallycontrolled shoe and roller actuated mechanism located in the upper partof the piano case opposite the string-plate and above the hammer headsand a pull device connected at one end with the shoe and having at itsother end a lifting connection with a unit of the hammer action.

6. In an electrical piano-playing attachment, the combination with thehammer action, of electro-mag-netically controlled shoe and rolleractuating mechanism located in the upper part of the piano above thekeyboard, a clip, means for attaching said clip to a unit of the actionand a pull device having a connection at one end with the shoe and alifting connection at its opposite end with said clip.

7. In an electrical piano-playing attachment, the combination with thehammer action, of electro-magnetically controlled shoe and rolleractuating mechanism located in the upper part of the piano above thekeyboard a clip, means for detachably connecting said clip to a unit ofthe action and a pull rod connected at one end to the shoe and havingits opposite end arranged to engage a part on the said clip.

S. In an electrical self-playing attachment for pianos, the combinationwith a soundproducing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe locatedadjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft, anelectromagnet and armature therefor, a saddle carried by said armature,a pivotal connection between the saddle and shoe, and means operated bythe shoe for actuating the sound producing device.

9. In a selfplaying attachment for pianos, the combination with asound-producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe locatedadjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft, anelectro-magnet and armature therefor, a saddle adjust-ably mounted onsaid armature, a pivotal connection between the saddle and shoe, andmeans operated by the shoe for actuating the sound producing device.

l0. In a selfplaying attachment for pianos, the combination with asound-producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe locatedadjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft, anelectro-magnet and armature therefor, a saddle carried by said armature,a pivotal connection between the saddle and shoe, a stop for limitingthe upward movement of the shoe and armature, and means operated by theshoe for actuating the sound-producing device.

11. In a self-playing attachment for pianos, the combination with asound-producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe locatedadjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft, anelectro-magnet and armature therefor, a saddle carried by said armature,a pivotal connection between the saddle and shoe, an adjustable stop forlimiting the upward movement of the shoe and armature, and meansoperated by the IIO shoefor actuating the sound producing device.

12. In combination with a piano, a playing attachment comprising asupporting rail located in the upper part ofthe piano case above thehammer heads and opposite the string plate, means for removablyattaching said rail in position, a plurality of electrically controlledactuating elements carried by said rail, and an independent connectionbetween each of said elements and the several units of the hammeractions.

13. In combination with a piano, a playing attaclnnent comprising asupporting rail, means for supporting said rail in the upper part of thepiano case above and free of the hammer heads and opposite thestring-plate, a plurality of electrically controlled actuating` elementssupported from said rail, and an independent connection between each ofsaid elements and aunit of the hammer action.

14.-. In a self-playing attachment for pianos, the combination with asound producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe locatedadjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft, anelectro-magnet and armature therefor, a fiat blade spring rigidlysecured at one end to a suitable support, and having' its free endattached to the armature, a saddle carried by the free end of thearmature, a pivotal connection between the saddle and shoe, and meansoperated by the shoe for actuating the sound producing device.

15. In a self-playing' attachment for pianos, the combination with asound producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe locatedadjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft,.anelectro-magnet and armature therefor, a blade spring upon which saidarmature is mounted, a coiled spring for resisting the movement ofthearmature, a pivotal connection between the armature and shoe, and meansoperated by the shoe for actuating the sound producing device.

1G. In a self-playing attachment for pianos, the combination with asound producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe locatedadjacent to but normally Vout of contact with said shaft, anelectro-magnet and armature therefor, a blade spring upon which saidarmature is mounted, an adjustably mounted coiled spring, for. resistingthe movement of the armature, a pivotal connection between the armatureand shoe, and means operated bythe shoe for actuating the soundproducing device.

17. In a self-playing attachment for pianos, the combination with asound producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe locatedadjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft, anelectro-magnet and armature therefor, a Hat blade spring upon which saidarmature is mounted, an adjusting screw, a coiled spring having aconnection with said screw and with the armature, a pivotal connectionbetween the armature and shoe, and means operated by the shoe foractuating the sound producing device. l

18. In a self-playing attachmentfor pianos, the combination with thesound producing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe locatedadjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft, anelectro-magnet and armature therefor, a fiat blade spring upon whichsaid armature is mounted, an adjusting screw, a coiled spring connectedat one end to saidscrew, and having a loose connection at its other endwith the armature, whereby the same may be freely rotated on saidconnection, a pivotal connection between the friction shoe and armature,and means operated by the shoe for actuating the sound producing device.

19. A piano having a playing attachment comprising a pliuality ofelectrically controlled hammer actuating elements located in the upperpart of the piano case opposite the string-plate and above the hammerheads, a support common to all said elements and a pull connectionbetween each individual element and a unit of the hammer action.

20. In a self-playing attachment for pianos, the combination with asound producing device and actuating mechanism therefor locatedthereabove and comprising a rotary shaft, a friction shoe locatedadjacent to but normally out of contact with said shaft, anelectro-magnet and armature therefor, an adjusting screw, a coiledspring connected at one end to said screw and having its opposite endloosely connected to the armature, a saddle carried by the armature, apivotal connection between the saddle and shoe and a pull deviceoperated by the shoe for actuating the sound producing device.

21. In an electrical self-playing attachment for pianos, the combinationwith a sound-producing device of a clip detachably connected thereto,electro-mechanical actuating means arranged in the upper part of thepiano casing above the key-board, and a pull connection between saidmeans and said detachable clip, whereby the parts may be readilyconnected or disconnected.

22. In a selfplaying attachment for pianos, the combination with a soundproducing device, of a rotary shaft, a friction shoe, an electro-magnetand armature therefor, a stud adjustably mounted on said armature, asaddle having an aperture through which said stud passes, nutsadjustably mounted on said stud, and between which a part of the saddleis located and a pivotal connection between the saddle and shoe.

23. In a selfplaying attachment for pianos, a rotary shaft, a frictionshoe, an electro-magnet and armature therefor, a threaded stud carriedby said armature, a saddle having an aperture through which said studpasses, nuts threaded upon said stud and located upon opposite sides ofsaid saddle, a disk on the end of the stud, an abutment for nectionbetween the saddle and shoe.

24. In a self pla ing attachment for pianos, a rotary sha t, a frictionshoe, an electro-magnet and armature therefor, a threaded stud carriedby said armature, a saddle having an aperture through which said studpasses, nuts threaded upon said stud and located on opposite sides ofsaid saddle, a disk on the end of the stud, an adjustable abutment forthe disk, and a pivotal connection between the saddle and shoe.

, 25. In a self-playing attachment for pianos, the combination with asound producing device, of a clip detachably connected to a part of saiddevice, an extension on the clip having an aperture, a pull rod passingthrough the said aperture 1n the extension, a head on the end of thepull rod adapted to abut the extension, and an operative element havinga connection with the pull rod.

26. In a self -playing attachment for pianos, the combination with asound producing device, of a clip detachably connected to a part of saiddevice, an extension on said clip having an aperture, a pull rodextending through said aperture, and having a head at one end adapted toabut the extension, and a hook on the other end of said pull rod.

27. In a self playing attachment for pianos, the combination with asound producing device, of a clip connected to a part of said device, anextension on said clip having an aperture, a pull rod extended throughsaid aperture, a sleeve inclosing that part of the rod passing throughthe aperture, and a head on the lower end of the rod adapted to abut theextension.

28. A piano having a playing attachment comprising a magnet rail, meansfor detachably supporting said rail in the upper part of the piano caseabove the hammer heads and oppositethe string-plate, a plurality ofelectro-magnets carried by said rail, a plurality of friction shoespivotally connected to the armatures of said magnets, a rotary shaftjournaled in brackets on the magnet rail, and a pull device suspendedfrom each shoe.

29. A piano having a playing attachment comprising a magnet rail, meansfor detachably supporting said rail in the upper part of the piano caseabove the piano hammers, a plurality of electro-magnets carried by saidrail, a plurality of friction shoes pivotthe disk, and a pivotal conallyconnected to the armatures of said magnets, a rotary shaft journaled inbrackets below the shoe faces, and an adjustable stop bar for the shoescarried by the magnet rail.

30. A piano having a playing attachment comprising a magnet-rail, meansfor detachably supporting said rail in the upper part of the piano caseabove the piano hammers, a plurality ofl electro-magnets carried by saidrail, a plurality of friction shoes pivotally connected to the armaturesof said magnets, a rotary shaft ournaled in brackets on the magnet rail,a pull rod suspended from each shoe, a movable hammer rest rail, andmeans suspended from the magnet rail for supporting the said rest rail.

31. A piano having a playing attachment comprising a magnet rail, meansfor detachably supporting said rail in the upper part of the piano caseabove the hammers, a plurality of electro-magnets carried by said rail,a plurality of friction shoes pivotally connected to the armatures ofsaid magnets, a rotary shaft journaled in brackets on the magnet rail, apull rod suspended from each shoe, amovable hammer rest rail made in twoalined sections, supporting brackets carried by the magnet rail, andmovable arms j ournaled on said brackets and constituting the supportingmeans for the said rest-rail.

32. A piano having a playing attachment comprising a magnet-rail, meansfor detachably supporting said rail in the upper part of the piano caseabove the hammers, a plurality of electro-magnets carried by said rail,a plurality of friction shoes pivotally connected to the armatures ofsaid magnets, a rotary shaft journaled in brackets on the magnet rail, apull rod suspended from each shoe, a movable hammer rest rail made intwo alined sections, supporting brackets carried by the magnet rail,bell crank levers journaled on said brackets, and a pivotal connectionbetween each bell crank lever and a part of the said rest rail.

33. In electrical self-playing mechanism for pianos, the combinationwith the piano case and the hammer action of the piano, of a pull rod,electro-mechanical means located in the upper part of the piano caseabove the hammer heads for actuating the pull rod, aclip detachablyconnected to a unit of the hammer action, and a lost motion connectionbetween the clip and lower end of the pull rod.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

IRVING B. SMITH. Witnesses:

CHARLEs BowMAN, J r., HARRY R. CRooKioRD.

